If you've looked out your window in the wee hours of the night lately, you may have noticed the waning last quarter moon traveling on its low February arc across the night sky. The moon is often depicted this way in illustrations, especially in children's books, even though this is not the moon we usually see, because most of us are sleeping when it is visible at this stage. During these late waning phases, the moon, which rises later and later each night, gradually catches up with the sun in the sky. By the time the moon passes day 26, it is a thin crescent of light visible in the predawn sky (Feb. 23rd). Perhaps this "backwards" wee-small-hours-of-the-night moon is more compelling to artists somehow. Anyway, I hope you get to see it!
February 17, 2009
Artists' Moon
If you've looked out your window in the wee hours of the night lately, you may have noticed the waning last quarter moon traveling on its low February arc across the night sky. The moon is often depicted this way in illustrations, especially in children's books, even though this is not the moon we usually see, because most of us are sleeping when it is visible at this stage. During these late waning phases, the moon, which rises later and later each night, gradually catches up with the sun in the sky. By the time the moon passes day 26, it is a thin crescent of light visible in the predawn sky (Feb. 23rd). Perhaps this "backwards" wee-small-hours-of-the-night moon is more compelling to artists somehow. Anyway, I hope you get to see it!
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1 comment:
I enjoyed my visit here and loved your shot of Venus, Jupiter and the Moon...and why do you have blue birds this time of year?...I'm still waiting for them.
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